MLB: Monitoring of baseballs will increase

Major League Baseball is increasing its monitoring of baseballs in an attempt to suppress any use of foreign substances by pitchers.

Mike Hill, newly hired as executive vice president of baseball operations and disciplinarian, wrote in a memorandum to team officials on Tuesday that “players are subject to discipline ... regardless of whether evidence of the violation has been discovered during or following a game.”

“Examples of prohibited conduct include, but are not limited to, handling foreign substances, advising a pitcher how to use or otherwise mask the use of foreign substances, interfering with the collection of game-used baseballs and failing to report observed violations of these rules by players or staff.”

Hill said team leaders may be held responsible for violations by staff.

„ The Astros and RHP Lance McCullers Jr. agreed on a five-year, $85 million contract extension, ESPN reported. McCullers is coming off a solid 2020 when he returned after missing a season following Tommy John surgery. He went 3-3 with a 3.93 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 11 starts. The extension will start next season.

Golf: Ian Poulter handed Rory McIlroy his worst loss in 10 years at the Dell Technologies Match Play, beating him 6-and-5 at Austin Country Club.

NBA: Warriors coach Steve Kerr said star G Stephen Curry will miss at least another week as he continues to recover from a bruised tailbone. Kerr added that an MRI showed inflammation and led to the organization’s decision to keep him out for at least four more games. Curry, who suffered the injury March 17 against the Rockets, will be re-evaluated next week.

NFL: The Cowboys informed free-agent passrusher Aldon Smith that they’re not going to re-sign him after one season, ESPN reported. Smith, 31, joined the Cowboys in 2020 on a one-year deal. He had five sacks last season